Doheny kosher is the best on pico, but also the most expensive.

I would appreciate any help from you diligent Minneapolis hounds. I'm coming into town soon and need two very good places to go dinner, as well as a good place to have a pint and maybe a scotch. Staying in downtown (Uptown?) Minneapolis and probably won't be leaving that area. Based on some preliminary research, it sounds like Bar La Grassa is a good bet, and I was thinking Bradstreet Crafthouse for a later dinner the night I come in. Also, any suggestions for a good cup of coffee, preferably on the Skywalk, would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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Bar La Grassa
800 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Went there for the friends and family night last Thursday - loved it. Meal was buffet style. Had a number of friends there and heard nothing but raves. Same quality food as the New York branch - Conant was in the kitchen. If I went back, I would be happy to order the yellowtail app, the tuna with truffle oil app, any of the pastas (but someone at the table is required to order the tomato-basil at every meal), and the passion fruit custard. They also had a bourbon-based house apertif that was delicious.

Scarpetta's tomato & basil pasta is all it's cracked up to be. Simple, delicious, perfectly executed. If the one out here is of the same quality as NY, it's instantly the best Italian in L.A.

Palate in Glendale sounds on the money.

Gordo -
Am I missing something? I just looked up their menu online and they don't have a single one of these items on the menu. They do, however, have a pumpkin tortellini - strike one.

A restaurant that makes a good pasta puttanesca, fra diavolo, or alfredo. Fresh pasta spun in a wheel of Parmesan. Also, I rarely see tortellini in Italian restaurants.

If I see one more pasta stuffed with pumpkin or squash I'm gonna puke.

Thai Boom. They recently opened a branch on Robertson b/w Olympic & Wilshire.

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Thai Boom
10863 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034

Anything with jackfruit at Pure Luck.

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Pure Luck Restaurant
707 N Heliotrope Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90029

If you want the best cup of coffee, I would suggest Groundworks on Sunset. If you want the best place to grab a cup and hang out/read/work I would suggest Caffe Etc. on Cahuenga.

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Caffe Etc
6371 Selma Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Vito's Pizza on La Cienega
Joe's Pizza on Sunset
Vegan Glory (vegan Thai) on Beverly
Yabu (sushi) on La Cienega or Hirozen (sushi) on Beverly

As a born and bred New Yorker, I firmly believe that there are 3 types food that a typical New Yorker should try when coming out to L.A. for the first time: Mexican, Thai, and Sushi.

I'll throw out 3 solid suggestions in parts of town that you'll probably be going to anyway: Sushi/Sushi (Beverly Hills), Border Grill (Santa Monica), Sanamluang (just east of Hollywood).

Have you called Wine & Liquor Depot in Van Nuys? IMHO the best liquor store in LA.

Thanks all. Lots of recs.

What are your favorite places to eat in Pasadena or within a 10 minute drive (note: NOT downtown LA)?

Looking for quick informal lunch spots and high quality dinner places that are pleasant to sit in /have nice ambiance.

There's a Kosher Taco cart on Pico on Weekend nights. I believe the phone number is (310) 553-8804. It's passable and cheap.

For similar kosher events people tend to order either Pizza from Nagila, middle eastern sandwiches in 'laffah' (aka wraps) from Nagila Meat (they'll make a platter), or platters from either Pico Kosher Deli or Jeff's Gourmet Sausages.

Surprised no one has thrown out Apple Pan, Marty's, or John O'Groats. They're cheap (although O'Groats less-so), close-by, and people swear by them. If you want a Hollywood-like experience, try the Ivy on Robertson or the Grill on the Alley.

You're from NY so don't bother with Italian here, unless you want to drive to Pizzeria Mozza.

Third Delice if you're willing to spend. If not, go to Schwartz's and get the Caramel Crunch Cake.

Seems like its too late now, but this board has failed poor Mr. Taster.

One word...Urasawa.

Try Schwartz's Bakery on Beverly & La Brea. Good donuts.

Surprised no one's mentioned the Fish Grill - branches in Brentwood, by La Brea, and near Beverly Hills. Good quality fish prepared simply and in the $10 range. Just don't order the tuna - they won't cook it rare.

For those in the know, what are your favorite vegan restaurants in L.A.? Not the best vegan dish, but the best 100% vegan restaurant.

Three of mine:
Pure Luck
Vegan Glory
Leonor's Mexican

Casiano Catering - they cater events for a number of non-kosher Jewish institutions.

If you are looking for Kosher or Kosher for Passover cookies, all bakeries suggested on this board thus far are NOT KOSHER except for Delice, Elat, and Schwartz's. You may also order passover cookies and other baked goods from Catering By Brenda and Elegant Catering.

For those of you providing suggestions to people seeking kosher items, please, PLEASE do not do so unless you understand the concept of kosher supervision. Beverlywood Bakery, Viktor Benes/Gelson's, Leda's, and Sprinkles are not kosher establishments, thus their products are neither kosher nor kosher for passover. Refer generally to Weinstein5's post, but for items to be kosher, the establishment that makes and sells them must be under the supervision of a reputable rabbinic organization (in LA Kehilla, RCC, or Rabbi Benzaquen) no if ands or buts.

Not quite a milkshake (but neither are the "milkshakes" at Lucky Devils):
The Carvelanche at Carvel
I go for wet nuts (walnuts in maple syrup) & Butterfinger or Heath Bar.

Go to Schwartz's bakery on Pico and make sure to get at least one with poppy seed filling.

You can buy jarred Guss' Pickels in LA. Try Western Kosher on Fairfax.

Schwartz's and the Bagel Factory are both very good. Of the Schwartz's challahs, I think the 'pull-apart' is the best. For my money, the Morrocan challah at Delice Bakery is the best kosher challah in LA. All of the above will have long lines on Friday morning.
Also, don't sleep on The Coffee Bean - excellent baked goods. And, in the valley, Unique Bakery is excellent.

I would contact Delice, Schwartz's, and Unique - the best Kosher bakeries in the City/Valley. I would also call either a Kosher caterer such as Pat's (call Pat's Restaurant on Pico Blvd.) or any major local hotel to see where they get Kosher wedding cakes from. Best of luck.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've given up on Father's Office long ago, and would like to diversify from Tom Bergen's.

A couple others favorites:
Weiland Brewery in Little Tokyo
Citizen Smith (mentioned earlier)
Guelaguetza (live mariachi, tequila, beer, good food)